The Carbon Footprint of an Electric Car

Posted: December 11, 2016

If you care about your carbon footprint, an electric vehicle may be the right choice for you. We know that traditional gas vehicles emanate emissions into the atmosphere, polluting the air and damaging the ozone layer. Researchers and innovators have invested many hours analyzing and investigating this conundrum of modern life. The arrival of the electric vehicle on the scene shows progress and creates hope for further advancement.

Since electric vehicles rely on electricity rather than gasoline, they have a comparably small carbon footprint. Though the pollution released by each electric vehicle differs based on its engineering and unique specs, they are quite environmentally friendly when compared to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. Total electric vehicles do not produce direct carbon emissions when driven, yet some emissions are created during the construction of these vehicles. As manufacturers and utilities increase their use of renewable energy, emissions related to vehicle production will continue to decline. Regardless of whether electric vehicles or gasoline vehicles generate more emissions related to their manufacturing, lifetime emissions should really be a big part of the discussion.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) electric vehicles have significantly lower lifetime emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles. Some electric vehicles produce upwards of 15 percent fewer emissions across their lifespan than a similar-sized vehicle fueled by gasoline. It takes just 4,900 miles on the road to offset the Nissan Leaf’s manufacturing-related emissions. This amount of miles is covered by most drivers in the first six months of vehicle ownership. When lifetime emissions are factored in, electric vehicles are still the greenest way to drive.